"I'll be careful. I'll think things through. I'll gradually leave the matters at the club to Kayley and the store manager. I'll spend more time with you and the baby from now on. What's most important is that you stay happy."
Sidney nodded. "Let me handle the revenge part. Don't get caught up in it. Leave it to the police. You've got a family now—there's more to think about than just payback."
"Okay," Jayson agreed quickly, and Sidney finally felt a little reassured.
The butler finished preparing the meal and came upstairs to invite them down. Sidney got up from the floor and was about to head out.
"Take it slow! You're pregnant now!" Jayson reminded her.
Sidney stuck out her tongue, almost forgetting, then quickly changed her approach, tiptoeing carefully.
During dinner, the butler enthusiastically mentioned that Ms. Mccann would soon outgrow her clothes and should start looking for maternity wear. He also reminded her that pregnant women need to stay active for a healthy pregnancy. Sidney and Jayson exchanged a confused glance, both unsure as they listened to him.
Finally, Jayson said, "You can go out shopping or even walk around for exercise, but your bodyguard has to come along in case anything happens. If I'm free, I'll go with you."
"Alright."
The next day, despite being less than three months pregnant, Sidney excitedly spent the morning at a bookstore browsing books on pregnancy and bought a few that she liked. She had lunch outside on her way, then in the afternoon went to a mall to pick out some loose-fitting dresses.
Just as she was shopping for clothes in the empty mall on a quiet afternoon, a phone call came in. Sidney didn't see who it was and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Sidney, you ungrateful brat!" an old woman's voice said bitterly.
"Mom?" She glanced at the screen, confirming it was indeed Shelby, though her voice sounded much older.
"Hmph! Don't call me 'Mom'! I'm not your mother! People like you—heartless, backstabbing trash—don't deserve to call me 'Mom'! I curse you all to die badly!"
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"Did you tell Jayson to stop the bank from giving us the loan?"
"I didn't!"
"Did you have Jayson buy our family's company under someone else's name?"
"I didn't! I've never interfered with anything to do with Calderon Corporation!"
"Haha! I don't believe it! What a coincidence! We've been struggling to get funding, facing obstacles everywhere. Then suddenly, just as we announce the bankruptcy, Jayson's friend swoops in and buys us out for a bargain? This is a family business that's been around for over a hundred years!"
"I really don't know about that, and I don't want to get involved in Calderon family matters. Haven't I paid enough for all that I owe you over the years? Haven't I worked like a dog for you in the Calderon family? Why do you hate me so much?"
"Because no matter what you do, you can never make up for my lost youth, or my legs!" she said bitterly.
"Back then, you wouldn't even help with my mother's funeral! Is that supposed to be 'gracious'?" Sidney also became emotional, blaming Shelby for refusing to handle her mother's funeral and for the reason behind Shelby's disability, a topic they had deliberately avoided for over a decade.
"Your mother got what she deserved—she has no right to be buried properly. She should be left to rot. I curse her to never find peace, now or forever."
"How can you be so vicious?"
"You think I'm evil? You're the one who tried to kill me! I'm still wishing the worst on you and your mother—may you both suffer for the rest of your lives!" she screamed, her voice full of hatred.
Sidney was furious when she heard that, unable to hold back as she snapped, "This is exactly why you're stuck living with so much hatred—it's why you're getting what's coming to you!"
She immediately hung up the phone and blocked the number. In the past, she always felt guilty. Back then, she was young, blinded by hatred. Afterward, she never dared to raise her voice at her, let alone speak these rebellious words. She was always the one being scolded.
That evening, when she got home, she saw the butler looking at her with a troubled expression, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Sidney asked the bodyguard to put down the things she bought today and asked, "What's wrong?"
The butler thought for a moment but didn't speak.
"What do you want to say to me?"
No, I just wanted to ask if the soup today, with the pork and kale, is to your liking?" the butler asked with an apologetic smile.
"Yes, didn't I already tell you this afternoon?" Sidney thought it was odd.
Not long after Sidney entered, Jayson came home, arriving earlier than she had expected.
"Why are you home so early today?"
"Didn't we agree I'd start spending more time with you?" Jayson shrugged off his suit jacket, washed his hands, and guided her to the dining table.
Soon, after setting up the dishes, the two of them focused on eating. Sidney had been very active today and had a good appetite.
After finishing the meal, he pulled her to sit down in the restaurant to continue eating fruit.
"I can't eat anymore," Sidney complained.
"How about we head to Sunny Bay for a trip tomorrow?"
Sidney widened her eyes in disbelief, looking at him. A workaholic saying they're going on a trip? Was the sky falling?
"We haven't even gone on our honeymoon yet. We should go now while the baby isn't born," Jayson explained.
His reasoning seemed quite reasonable, but Sidney still felt that something was off.
